Murder in the Cathedral by T.S. Eliot - Book Report/Review Example

Murder in the Cathedral by T. S. Eliot Part Question The mood created by the chorus in the beginning of the speech is serious and somber. This mood is maintained throughout the play, with frequent occurrence of impending tragedy. The mood of the chorus also changes as the story unfolds. At one moment they are worried and rushed, then this mood transforms to a total doom. The changing mood in the chorus, however, creates a somber mood throughout the play. Question #2 They were waiting to celebrate the long awaited Christmas holiday, which is usually celebrated by the Catholics. They have been facing difficult times in the last months of October and November, trying to make a living. The cold month of December finally came and they were eager to celebrate Christmas holiday, the day Catholics celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ son of God. Question #3 In the chorus, the women believed that Thomas will die upon his return to England. Thomas had earlier disagreed with the king over uniting religious and political powers under a central government. This made him to flee for safety in France. Coming back to England after several years of exile, and while the very king he parted ways with, was still the leader, meant that an evil would happen. This is why the chorus women feared her return. Question #4 The third priest perceives the government as corrupt, and it does not care and support its people. He says that the king and his close allies, who are rich men, enjoy luxury and absolute power at the expense of the poor people, who are simple ordinary of England (Eliot 11). He also says that the most powerful people on their land have forgotten about God, and there is no hope that they will ever help the poor (Eliot 19). Question #5 In the second speech of the chorus, the women advise Thomas to return to France to seek safety. They sang this chorus with more clarity, as they believed his coming back to England will trigger war or get him murdered by the king and barons, whom he fell a part with due to poor governance (Eliot 41). Question #6 (a) The First Temper is bold and courageous. Despite the women’s and priests’ fears that the return of Thomas will trigger war in the community, he stands out and advices the Archbishop to proceed and meet the king, and even have dinner with him once again (Eliot 43). Question #6 (b) The First Temper suggests that Thomas can continue leading his life alongside the king. He says, “Becket can continue to be with the king, with ‘wit and wine and wisdom” (Eliot 43). He further stresses that Thomas must meet the king and have dinner again. Question #6 (c) Thomas turned down the First Temper’s suggestions saying that going back to enjoy a luxurious life was impossible. He claimed he was ready to join the local people, who were oppressed by poor governance, to fight the king. Time had come for the common people to fight for their rights as people of that land. Question #7 (a) The Second Temper requested Thomas to go back and regain his lost political powers. He told him “you master of policy whom all acknowledged, should guide the state again (Eliot 27). Question #7 (b) The second Temper in his fourth speech appealed to Thomas’ desire to do right by describing life lasting glory as a permanent gift and possession. He claimed that power is something that is dealt with at the present and holiness can be dealt with later (Eliot 34). Question #7 (c) The Archbishop deemed these temptations by telling the tempers that the divine power he presents is far much better than the punier power He offers (Eliot 35). Therefore, he was ready to face any misfortune that was to come on his way. He knew very well that the king would confront him and do evil if he gets he is back in England. He claimed he had better die as a martyr, but enjoys the eternal life forever and ever. Question #8 (a) He relates Thomas’ relationship with the king with the danger that the winter brings. Question #8 (b) He represents the group that wants to fight the king for their freedom. Question #9 (a) The essence of the Fourth Tempers’ temptation Thomas has to face the truth of his internal feelings. Thomas proved to be both ambitious and selfish when he wanted both fame on earth and eternal glory in heaven. Question #9 (b) This speech was said earlier by Thomas Becket, the Archbishop. Question #10 (a) The tempers view life as some illusion, and what we may desire to acquire or say usually does not come true. It is, therefore, advisable to deal with things or situations that are aimed at saving our lives. Question #10 (b) The tempers perceived Thomas as someone who is lying to himself. He came back to join the ordinary people in fighting a king, who he had; fell out with, due to power differences. It was obvious that the king would not spare his life, and indeed he was murdered. Question # 11 (a) Christmas Morning Question # 11 (b) Jesus offers a rejoice in the salvation of men Question # 11 (c) Saint Stephen Question # 11 (d) “The critical moment/ That is always now, and here. Even now, in sordid particulars/ The eternal design appears” (Eliot 61). Question # 12 He commanded them to unbar the door and permit him to encounter his fate since he has given the law of God his life. Question # 13 (a) Reginald Fitz Urse Question # 13 (b) Thomas was murdered because he did side with the king on how to unite the power of the state and the church under the central government. Part 11 Question # 14 At the beginning of the chorus, a group of women who were gathered next to the Cathedral, commented that the stressing months of October and November were gone, and all the activities that consumed most of their precious times were also gone, and the cold month of December finally came. The women in the chorus commented that most people were now waiting to celebrate Christmas holiday to mark the birth of Jesus Christ, son of God. In addition, they were also waiting to mark the beginning of a new year, which they believe will bring them better hopes (Eliot 13). The warm months of October and November represent difficult times of oppression from the king and his close allies, and moving into the cold month of December symbolized hope for change and a good life, something that they were seriously anticipating for. Question # 15 The three priests had mixed reactions about the coming of Thomas. The first responded to the news with fear of calamity the second was happy because he it was time to fight for their rights, and the third felt that no matter what happened, they had to move on with life (Eliot 13). The women in the chorus are also constantly repeating that they are sensing a serious evil and war since the Archbishop, Becket, had not made peace with the king. This is after he went on an exile after falling a part with the king due to power differences (Eliot 17). They trust that Becket is bold enough, and he will stand strong to defend their right, which the king and his close allied have undermined, and this will eventually lead to a war. Therefore, both the priests and the chorus act as a temper to Thomas. Question # 16 Through this paradoxical idea, Thomas preaches to the crowd that Jesus Christ died out of free will to save mankind from sin, unlike martyrs whose deaths are determined by divine designs, but not their free will. In other words, it is not their pride that leads them to death, but God’s will lead them to martyrdom. He meant that, during his death, these people will be griped with grief, and they will mourn bitterly. He proceeds to advice them that, just like followers of Jesus mourned and rejoiced during his death because he saved their lives, they should also mourn and rejoice because he died while fighting for their rights. Question # 17 Most modern governments do not care about their citizens as the constitution demands. Legislatures are so corrupt they only determined to fulfill their personal interests, and those of their close allies, but not the ordinary citizens they are supposed to serve. In this respect, the Church and its leaders have stepped in to help the common people fight poor governance and corruption. Church leaders, in this context, acts as the peoples representatives, or rather martyrs, who are focused to help the common citizens fight for their rights and freedom, just like Thomas did for his people in the play. Uniting political and religious powers under a central government is one of the leading leadership problems in most nations. Church leaders are determined to fight for the rights of the ordinary citizens, while top government officials are determined to satisfy their personal interested. Political leaders have constantly persuaded church leaders to join them in oppressing the poor, but because this is against the scriptural teachings, Church leaders have always rejected their requests. This is what has constantly leaded to a cold war between political leaders and Church leaders, who have supported the ordinary people in fighting for their rights. Works Cited Eliot T. S. Murder in the Cathedral. Great Britain. Farber and Farber Ltd., 1968. Print Read More